Summer Intern Brings Energy, Enthusiasm and Willing Spirit

Isabel Arredondo does not come across as the nervous type. She is a confident, cheerful and very funny 16 year old. She hopes to be a physical therapist one day, but medical internships are hard to come by in Asheville. She was a little nervous though when she learned her summer CAYLA (City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy) internship assignment was with Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. She worried that people might be mean to her, or that she would put in a screw the wrong place and a whole house would crumble to the ground. And she envisioned having to get up early to be on a jobsite while her peers were sleeping in every day. Isabel quickly realized that Habitat staff (and volunteers) are kind, that she could not single handedly ruin a Habitat house, and that being on a jobsite is actually a lot of fun — and includes lots of cookies, muffins and watermelon.

She noted these and other observations recently when she made a short presentation to our Board of Directors during which she recapped her internship as “a very positive experience overall”. The bilingual SILSA student admits she had many misconceptions about Habitat and the Habitat ReStore. They were shattered within the first few days though as she stepped out of her comfort zone and into work in Construction, Home Repair, the ReStore and the Office. She said attending the key passing for a family whose house she had worked on is something she will always remember. The internship “was life-changing” and she now tells her friends that they should volunteer with Habitat.

Ed McGowan, Asheville Habitat’s Finance Director, expressed his gratitude for Isabel’s help: “We were truly blessed to have Isabel with us this summer. She is a very poised, intelligent and helpful young woman who has continued the strong partnership between Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity (AAHH) and the City’s CAYLA program. She has set the bar very high for future CAYLA interns at AAHH. I am very proud of Isabel’s contribution to our mission and I’m very proud to call her my friend.”

Everyone deserves a decent place to live, and everyone can do something to make that possible for another family. Isabel did that by volunteering with us for six weeks. Like our past three CAYLA interns, Isabel is now an advocate for our work. And although she still plans to pursue physical therapy, we have a feeling she will always have a heart for Habitat. Thank you Isabel for sharing your warm smile, your contagious enthusiasm, and your willing spirit with us this summer!

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Tithing Update: August 2016

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From the beginning, Habitat for Humanity’s work has been global in scope, and the tithing of funds by U.S. affiliates has and continues to play a significant role in Habitat’s global impact. Tithing through Habitat for Humanity International ensures that funding reaches the countries that have both a Habitat presence and some of the greatest need.

Over the past thirty years, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity has tithed nearly $650,000 to Habitat affiliates around the world, serving 182 international families. Each time we close a house in Buncombe County, we tithe. In 2016 alone, $45,000 was tithed to five partner countries, as well as to a new Orphans and Vulnerable Groups (OVG) Fund.

Susan Weltner Yow, Habitat for Humanity International’s Director of Affiliate Tithe and Global Engagement, recently visited our affiliate and shared updates from the countries we support through our tithe. And we are happy to be able to share those updates with you here.

Each country’s focus is different as urgent needs vary by region. In Guatemala, the focus continues to be building new homes, though they are steadily increasing the number of smokeless stove and water filtration projects that they complete as well. By 2017, HFH Guatemala will be building its 75,000 house! Asheville Area Habitat volunteers have participated in seven service trips to Guatemala in the past eight years.

In a nation populated heavily by orphans (from AIDS) and where children-headed households are common, Malawi needs clean water, as well as sanitation and hygiene systems. A healthy environment refers to more than just a healthy home, so Habitat Malawi is boring holes for community water taps and engaging the community in sanitation and hygiene education.

The largest tithe recipient of all Habitat affiliates, Haiti remains focused on rebuilding communities since the devastating earthquake of 2010. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and land tenure remains the biggest roadblock to rebuilding there. Habitat Haiti is committed to working with the community to do repairs, retrofits and reconstruction of damaged or unsafe homes, as well as community development work and advocacy. With a newly formed Habitat Resource Center, they are also trying to lend technical assistance, create capital markets, and support incremental building processes.

The poorest non-African country in the world, and one of the most populated, Bangladesh is focused on implementing housing, water, sanitation and hygiene projects. John A. Armstrong, National Director of Habitat Bangladesh, is quick to note, “We could not operate without the support of U.S. affiliates and their tithes.”

Egypt was one of the first countries to start serving the poorest of the poor. They are focused on rehabbing existing home and providing hygiene education. An interesting phenomenon that was noted, and has since been addressed, is that because livestock is the valuable asset a person has, Egyptians were putting their livestock in their new or newly rehabbed homes, and the humans were sleeping in dilapidated and unsanitary sheds and barns. Habitat now builds sheds for the animals, in addition to building homes for the families.

Habitat for Humanity’s newer Orphans and Vulnerable Groups Fund does exactly what the name suggests; it supports the world’s most vulnerable people. In Fiscal Year 2015, the OVG funds were distributed to HFH Malawi. Funds tithed in FY16 will be used in Ivory Coast, Bangladesh, and Zambia.

As you can see, the impact of Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity extends far beyond the borders of Buncombe County. In our community and around the world, we are building and improving places to call home.

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Charting New Territory: From Office Intern to Construction Crew Leader

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By Kristen Keefer

Enthusiastic Emily Stevens excels in new situations. Perhaps her ability to succeed is a reflection of how she fearlessly charts unfamiliar territory. After completing her bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies at The College of Wooster in Ohio, she dove into professional work experience. In the summer of 2015, Emily joined Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity through a program administered by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) called Young Adult Volunteers. She left her hometown of Rochester, NY behind, and began working in Asheville as a Construction Services Volunteer Intern.

Emily gave a year of service in that internship position. During that time, she strengthened her office skills while developing a deeper understanding of Habitat’s mission and values. She gained an appreciation of all the “behind the scenes” work that goes into creating a community where people can have decent and affordable places to call home. Emily recalled, “Hearing the partner family’s stories really helps you understand the importance of the work being done by Habitat.” She recounted that these stories inspired her to feel an extra burst of enthusiasm when working in the office, knowing that her contribution to Habitat’s mission was important. Emily’s heart is truly in her work.

As her internship was coming to an end, she was uncertain of her future steps. She had successfully established herself in Asheville and had confirmed through her internship experience that she wanted to continue working in the non-profit sector. She explained, “Becoming more acquainted with Habitat’s mission has influenced the work I want to do in the future.”

During this same time, interviews were being conducted for a Construction Crew Leader position at Asheville Area Habitat through AmeriCorps. Emily applied for the program and was accepted! Interested in pursuing a master’s degree in Social Work in the future, she considers this on-site job experience to be a valuable supplement to her professional and personal development.

Emily couldn’t be more excited about working on Asheville Area Habitat’s construction site. She is eager to advance her construction skills and share that knowledge base with volunteers. In addition, she fondly anticipates developing friendships with the volunteers. Working in the office, she became very familiar with volunteer names and their shifts. “I’m excited to learn and get to know the volunteers better, to put faces to names!”

Strengthening relationships is at the core of Emily’s values. She demonstrated this by prioritizing getting to know and helping her peers and mentors while she was an intern. She always felt satisfied when she had time to lend a helping hand to others.

Whether by offering a helping hand or listening to other’s stories, Emily values people. She is someone who pursues life fearlessly and is not held back by the unfamiliarity of new people, places, or opportunities. On the contrary, she courageously welcomes change and development. Though Emily’s cheerful presence will be missed in the office, it is suffice to say that we are all excited for Emily as she transitions into this new opportunity on the construction site. Congratulations and best wishes, Emily!

Check out what Emily has to say about the spirit if volunteerism, in this short video.

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ReStore Volunteer Adds Another Role to His Resume

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By Kristen Keefer

Retired pastor Jamie Dale has been an admirer of Habitat for Humanity’s mission since he first became acquainted with the organization in 1978. So naturally when he began volunteering at the Asheville Habitat ReStore in November of 2014, he was a great fit. He currently volunteers twice a week in the ReStore’s Small Appliances department, and he serves on Asheville Area Habitat’s Events Committee.

Working in Small Appliances allows him to fix items that may have otherwise been tossed into a landfill. This component of his work is very important to him. Appreciative of Habitat’s dedication to waste diversion, Dale noted “The ReStore does a really good job of refurbishing items and keeping them out of the landfill. The fact that it translates into housing is even better!” But what Jamie says he enjoys most about being a ReStore volunteer is, “You get to meet some fun people and the atmosphere is generally positive. People seem to really enjoy working here.”

In addition to volunteering with Habitat, Jamie has recently taken on another role. For nearly two months, he has been staying an hour after his ReStore volunteer shift to register voters. The seed that sprouted this idea however, had been planted nearly a year prior, after he attended a conference addressing voter issues. Jamie felt compelled to respond and get involved. At the time, he was unsure where to begin; but recently, an opportunity presented itself.

Annie Butzner, a volunteer for the NAACP, had already begun registering voters at the ReStore when Jamie offered a helping hand. Inside the ReStore, in the Upper Showroom, is Annie’s table of voter pamphlets and registration forms. On Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, this table is occupied by Jamie. His approach to registering voters is straightforward, honest, and confident. He explains, “Actively ask people if they are registered, don’t just wait on them to notice you or the sign.” As the list of voters Jamie has registered continues to grow, his go-getter approach is proving to be effective. And, to Jamie’s pleasant surprise, around 95% of the people he has approached are already registered voters. Jamie’s message to those that are still unregistered voters…register! He acknowledges that becoming an informed voter is an involved process, but advocates the importance of embracing this process. For Jamie, a citizen’s vote is their local and global voice.

Jamie’s passion for registering voters, giving usable items a second lease on life, and helping Habitat plan and execute events, is inspirational. He leads by example and demonstrates the power of taking action when you are passionate about a cause. Thank you Jamie, for the eclectic mixture of volunteer roles you embrace, both with Habitat for Humanity and in the greater community. We appreciate you!

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Jim Dugas: Sewing Machine Expert and Man of Service   

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By Kristen Keefer

If you take a stroll through the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore, whether through the sales floor or behind the scenes, you’ll promptly notice a strong crew of smiling faces performing a variety of different functions. Everyone’s role contributes uniquely to Habitat’s mission. This is one of the aspects that makes volunteering at the ReStore so special. Each volunteer is empowered by the ability to seek a unique niche that they excel at and enjoy.

Karen and Jim DugasJim Dugas (pictured above, center and here with his wife, Karen) was once a professional woodworker. He found his volunteer niche in sewing machine repair. Jim volunteered at the ReStore for almost 5 years, until his recent and unexpected passing. When he began volunteering, he repaired furniture; but his interest ultimately shifted to sewing machines. Mastering the art of sewing machine repair came to him quickly. His good friend and fellow volunteer, Walt Tolley (pictured, above right), elaborated on his abilities saying “Jim loved the idea of returning a broken thing back to normal.” He testified that Jim’s work was completed to perfection and that he very much preferred finishing a task without any help. When Jim took on a project, he did so wholeheartedly!

Jim and Walt sprouted a strong friendship over similar interests and a shared workspace. And it was a friendship that extended beyond the walls of the ReStore Habitat. Walt, who has now been volunteering with Asheville Area Habitat for nine years, helps build homes with the Interfaith community and also works in the ReStore small appliance repair area, where the two friends became acquainted.

Jim worked alongside other volunteers, as well. He shared his extensive knowledge of sewing machine repair recently with Kayren McKnight (pictured, above left), who began volunteering at the ReStore in April 2016. Kayren, a costume seamstress for both The Magnetic Theatre and Montford Players Club, established an interest in sewing machine repair after developing an appreciation for the reliability of older machines. Though she came to Habitat with a sturdy foundation in sewing machine repair, she had yet to understand the wiring of these antique devices.

Jim embraced the opportunity to help Kayren develop this skill. Kayren explained about these older models, “This was early on in the patenting of sewing machines, so every model that was not made by Singer had to be constructed differently.” This action was necessary in order for other manufacturers to avoid patent infringement. Therefore, there are often differences in the mechanics of each antique machine that is donated to the ReStore; and learning to fix one doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be able to fix the next one.

Kayren recalled, “Jim researched every machine and repaired each one meticulously.” She shared that Jim had developed an inspection report form that he completed for each machine he worked on. In addition to this, he took photos of all the machines during the repair process. These photos acted as a guide for putting the machines back together. Kayren says she enjoyed working with someone that was so fascinated by the machines!

Kayren is certain that the level of detail Jim applied to repairing sewing machines was a reflection of his desire to produce the best work he could for Habitat. Jim’s story teaches us that service is multi-faceted. Service is not simply about performing a task, but instead about learning and sharing. It is about joining with others for a collective purpose larger than oneself. It is about making an impact and leaving an imprint. If you ever have the pleasure of chatting with Jim’s friends at the ReStore, you will certainly discover that he was a dear friend and mentor, and truly a man of service.

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